Voter Intimidation: What It Is, What To Do About It

SARATOGA COUNTY —Both federal and state laws protect New Yorkers against voter intimidation. Voter intimidation is a crime and civil offense under New York election law.

It can involve the threat of – or use of – force, violence, obstruction, or interference. 

Voter intimidation can also involve the use of deceptive or fraudulent communication that impedes, prevents, or otherwise interferes with the free exercise of voting by a registered voter.

Voter intimidation can take many forms including individuals or groups patrolling outside of polling places and trying to scare people out of the voting line, or civilians dressing as law enforcement officers and harassing voters at poll sites.

Additionally, poll watchers may not solicit votes, stand in the vicinity of privacy booths, capture images of voters within the polling place, or distribute, wear, or carry political literature, posters, banners, or buttons. 

Any actual intimidation or attempts to intimidate should be reported immediately to the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-390-2992, or submitted online using the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s online Election Complaint Form, at: https://electionhotline.ag.ny.gov/.